Chess Openings Lab
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Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation

The Italian Four Knights Variation is the Pianissimo with 4...Nf6 5.Nc3, where both sides develop every knight before touching the c-pawn. White plans Na4 or Be3 to question the c5 bishop, and Black keeps it alive with ...Bb6 or ...a6, aiming for a solid, symmetrical game.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3
ECO
C50
Engine
+0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
9,981 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Use Na4 to attack the c5 bishop and win the bishop pair if Black lets it be captured.
  • Play Be3 to offer a bishop trade on e3, which half-opens the f-file for White's rook.
  • Follow with c3, h3 and short castling, keeping the queenside structure flexible.
  • Consider Bg5 after ...d6 to pin the f6 knight, steering into the Canal Variation.

Black

  • Answer Na4 with ...Bb6, keeping the bishop on the a7 to g1 diagonal.
  • Play ...h6 early to stop Bg5 and keep the f6 knight free.
  • After ...a6, the bishop has a7 as a retreat and the b5 square is covered.
  • If White's c3 knight blocks the c-pawn, the ...d5 break becomes easier to prepare.

Plans and pawn structure

With the knight on c3, White gives up the quick c3 and d4 plan and plays more slowly. The fight is about the c5 bishop: Na4 and Be3 both aim to trade or chase it. Black keeps it with ...Bb6 or ...a6, castles, and may play ...Be6 to challenge the c4 bishop. Later White may reroute the c3 knight or push a4 for space, and Black looks for ...d5 when the e4 pawn is short of defenders.

Where the engine's main line heads: Quiet center: c3–d3–e4 against e5. A slow center: White has c3, d3 and e4 against e5. Nobody is in a hurry, and the d3–d4 break decides when the game opens.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.13 5...d6 6.Na4 Bb6 7.c3 h6 8.O-O
  2. +0.14 5...h6 6.Be3 Bb4 7.O-O Bxc3 8.bxc3
  3. +0.14 5...a6 6.O-O d6 7.a4 O-O 8.Be3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

9,981 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.0%.

under 120052.0%
1200–159951.9%
1600–199952.5%
2000 and up49.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, choose between 5...d6, 5...h6 and 5...a6 based on the bishop's safety. Meet Na4 with ...Bb6 and Be3 with a trade or a retreat. Do not let Bg5 pin you if you dislike the Canal; ...h6 first solves that.

Questions

What are the moves of the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation?

The Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3. Its ECO code is C50.

Is the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 9,981 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.0%. A low-risk choice for players who like symmetry and slow buildup, but it demands a feel for small advantages like the bishop pair.

What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation?

Both sides develop all four knights, and the play revolves around the c5 bishop. White uses Na4 or Be3 to trade it, and Black keeps it with ...Bb6 or ...a6 before choosing a plan.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d6, with h6 and a6 close behind. 5...d6 supports e5 and opens the c8 bishop, preparing ...Bb6 if Na4 hits the c5 bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.